history - Extranet

Poãátkyiwww.pocatky.czKulturní zafiízení mûsta Poãátek (Poãátky Cultural Facility)Horní ulice 87, 394 64 Poãátkytel. +420 565 495 474e-mail: kultura@pocatky.czHISTORYA Memorial Plaque can be seen in the old post office where KarelHavlíãek Borovsk˘ stopped on his unwilling way towards Brixen. Anothermemorial plaque is situated on the spa building in memory of the stayof poet Julius Zeyer, the âapek brothers, the singer Karel Burian andother outstanding personalities.In Poãátky there is also the parental house of a Moravian historianof the 17 th century, TomበPe‰ina of âechorod as well as the houseof the composer Vítûzslav Novák, who spent ten years of his childhoodin this house and finally the native house of the poet OtokarBfiezina, including the poet’s memorial.On the town square there is the baroque Sculptural Group with theFountain of John of Nepomuk.In the town cemetery are the graves of the parents of Otokar Bfiezina andVítûzslav Novák. The first wife of poet Josef Václav Sládek - Emilie - isalso buried here.At the nearby baths there is the baroque Chapel of St. Katefiina that isattributed to the famous family of Dienzehofer.The town of Poãátky is located in romantic countryside west of the highestpeak of the Czech and Moravian Highlands - Javofiice. The name Poãátkyis derived from the surrounding springs, streams and lakes.The region of Poãátky was populated during the 13 th century. The namePoãátky is first recorded in a book of correspondence of Bishop Tobiá‰CULTUREfrom Bechynû from 1285 to 1290. In 1389 Jindfiich of Hradec boughtthis book and his descendants owned it till the beginning of the 17 th centurywhen their family died out. During the Hussite Revolution some ofthe poorer inhabitants left for Tábor and those who were richer remaineddevoted to Menhart of Hradec who protected his manor against theTaborite hordes. In 1423 he went into battle in near Horní Dubenkywhere Taborite detachments were on their way towards Poãátky. Thisbattle gave the folk name ”Krkavec” to the nearby Lake Bor. People fromPoãátky were rewarded for their devotion to Menhart by the right to builda fortress around the town. After the end of the Hussite Wars Poãátkybecame an important production and trade centre of the region, howevertwo disasters permanently inhibited its development - fires and war.As early as the beginning of the Thirty Years War the region of Poãátkywas plundered and devastated with even more serious destruction causedby the Swedish in 1645.In the 17 th century the ·ternberk family obtained this manor. Their coatof arms has become a part of the new city emblem. After a fire in 1821the character of buildings was changed and the fortifications nearlydisappeared.During the 1920’s the town was well known as an attractive summerdestination with several summer resorts nearby. The Baths of St.Katefiina were the most popular.SIGHTSThe originally Gothic Church of St. John the Baptist was rebuilt inBaroque style later on.Regular cultural events:June Midsummer FairSeptember Festival of St. WenceslasThe Municipal Museum of Poãátky and the Native House of OtokarBfiezinaPalackého nám. 27, tel. +420 565 495 215, +420 565 493 037, e-mail:museum.pocatky@cmail.czThe historic museum exhibition presents the most ancient records of theregion’s settlement, the production of craftsmen at the turn of the 18 thcentury, guild objects, religious relics and social life of the 19 th century.The native house of Otokar Bfiezina is part of the museum.Permanent exhibitions: Records of the Life and Work of the Poet OtokarBfiezina, Ethnographic Collections, Handicraft Production, Social LifeSPORTRegular sport events:June Child’s DayJuly Senior Football TournamentCrystal Cup in Football TournamentFishing on the lake Valcha – only with a permission of local fishingorganisationHoliday resort ”Valcha”, tel./fax: +420 565 495 625, tel. +420 606 608676, e-mail: ptomandl@iol.czvolleyball and tennis court, table tennis, child’s court.40